Ask the Author: Do you speak to any female officers?

Answer: There are two female officers I profile in the book: Beth Russell and Cindy Pontoriero, Chicago’s first female detective.

I speak with Beth about motherhood and how a police officer balances those two distinct worlds. You think of motherly traits—gentle, caring, nurturing—and those characteristics don’t mesh with our thoughts of Chicago police officers. What I found from Beth is that crossover exists. More than anything, Beth explained how being a police officer affected how she raised her children.

Cindy and I discussed her role as a detective, a position she loved, and the unique challenges that role provides. A pioneer, she never wanted to blaze a trail—even if her work opened up many doors.

One thing I didn’t do in the book was discuss the challenges of being a female officer, namely existing in a masculine world. For folks interested in that, I direct them to the Bible on the topic—Gina Gallo’s Armed and Dangerous: Memoirs of a Chicago Policewoman. Gina did such a spectacular job examining the female’s position in the police world that I wouldn’t do the topic justice.

Ask the Author is a running series of live audience or reader questions directed at On the Job author Daniel P. Smith. The series, which appears each Monday, is aimed at providing greater insight into Smith’s work in researching and writing On the Job: Behind the Stars of the Chicago Police Department as well as the book’s content. A speaker noted for his energy and engaging style, Smith is available for presentations at a wide range of events, including private book clubs, Citizen Police Academy meetings, libraries, senior centers, and schools. Please contact him directly at smithwriting@gmail.com to schedule an event.